Vending machine

ABSTRACT

A vending machine capable of preventing fraudulent use of false coins of a plurality of kinds. The number of slotted coins acceptable in one vending operation is preset in setting unit ( 112 ). The coins slotted into a coin slotting unit ( 101 ) are counted based on the sensing output from a counting sensor ( 104 ). When a refund operation is carried out while the number of coins slotted into the coin slotting unit( 101 ) is equal to or larger than the preset acceptable number of coins set in the setting unit ( 112 ), the coin return in response to the refund instruction is inhibited as a fraudulent use.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a vending machine accepting coins, andmore particularly, to a vending machine in which fraudulent use withfalse coins can be largely prevented.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, vending machines can sell various kinds of merchandisewithout necessitating human help, so that due to this convenience theyare used in a wide variety of usage forms and they are installed innumerous places.

Such vending machines accept either coins only or bills and coins, andin particular coins are sorted into true or false by electrically ormechanically discriminating their material, diameter, surface pattern,etc.

However, among the coins of the world, there are coins that are verysimilar with regard to material, diameter, and surface pattern, andthere are numerous incidents, in which such coins are treated andapplied to fraudulent use with vending machines of another country. Thisis done by slotting into a vending machine a large amount of false coinscorresponding to a certain denomination, and then either pressing thereturn button or pressing the return button after purchasing themerchandise of the lowest price.

That is to say, in vending machines that accept coins, the coins arereused as change, so that the coins that can be used as change aretemporarily accumulated in an accumulation device also known as the cointube, and for a sale of merchandise that requires change, the change isdisbursed using the coins that have accumulated in the coin tube.

Therefore, when a large amount of false coins corresponding to a certaindenomination is slotted into a vending machine, and then either thereturn button is pressed or the return button is pressed afterpurchasing the merchandise of the lowest price, then true coinsaccumulated in the coin tube are returned for the slotted false coins oras change, so that it is possible to get hold of the true coins in thevending machine, in exchange for the false coins.

In particular in recent vending machines, there is the tendency toenlarge the number of coins that can be accumulated in the coin tubes,in order to eliminate shortages of coins for change, which leads to asituation in which a large amount of true coins can be lifted from avending machine with a fraudulent operation using these false coins.

Conventional methods for preventing fraudulent operation of vendingmachines using false coins include:

1) Increasing the precision with which coins are sorted into true andfraudulent; and

2) Prohibiting the use of coins that can be used fraudulently.

However, increasing the precision with which coins are sorted into trueand fraudulent as in method 1) may lead to a situation in which, due tothe increase of the precision with which coins are sorted into true andfalse coins that were previously accepted as true are now sorted asfraudulent.

That is to say, due to circulation, a certain degree of deformation,damage, etc. to the coins used in vending machines cannot be avoided, sothat when the precision with which coins slotted into a vending machineare sorted into true and fraudulent is increased, then true coins with acertain degree of deformation, damage, etc. will be regarded as falsecoins and returned as well, so that the person servicing the vendingmachine will loose a valuable sales opportunity, and when slotted coinsare not accepted and returned even though they are true, then the userof the vending machine will be hampered in his regular use of thevending machine and his mistrust in vending machines may increase.

Furthermore, if the use of coins that can be used fraudulently isprohibited as in method 2), then this causes some inconvenience if thecoins that can be used fraudulently are, for example, the coins with thelargest denomination accepted by this vending machine, but the functionof the vending machine as such can be maintained.

However, if the coins that can be used fraudulently are coins with thedenomination used most with this vending machine, then a regularfunctioning of the vending machine cannot be maintained.

That is to say, in method 1) of increasing the precision with whichcoins are sorted into true and fraudulent, there are intrinsic limitswith regard to the increase of the precision, and method 2) ofprohibiting the use of coins that can be used fraudulently, cannot beapplied to cases where the coins that can be used fraudulently are coinswith the denomination used most with this vending machine.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a vending machine,with which the fraudulent use with false coins of various denominationscan be prevented effectively.

In order to achieve this object, the present invention is characterizedin that a vending machine counting amount of slotted money, vendingmerchandise within a range of the counted amount of slotted money, andreturning money corresponding to a return amount based on a refundinstruction, comprises counting means for counting, by denomination, thenumber of slotted coins of the slotted money, setting means for setting,by denomination, an administrative value indicating number of slottedcoins that is acceptable in one vending operation, and refundprohibiting means for prohibiting a coin refund operation based on therefund instruction, when the number of slotted coins counted by thecounting means is equal to or larger than the administrative value setwith the setting means.

Alternatively, the present invention is characterized in that a vendingmachine having a main control unit and a coin processing unit, whereinthe main control unit counts amount of slotted money based oncommunication with the coin processing unit, calculates amount of moneyto be returned based on a refund request from the coin processing unitand gives the coin processing unit a refund instruction to refund coinscorresponding to this amount of money to be returned, and wherein thecoin processing unit returns coins based on this refund instruction,comprises counting means for counting, by denomination, the number ofslotted coins, setting means for setting, by denomination, anadministrative value indicating number of slotted coins that isacceptable in one vending operation, and prohibiting means forprohibiting sending of the refund request to the main control unit, ifthe number of slotted coins counted by the counting means is equal to orlarger than the administrative value set with the setting means.

Alternatively, the present invention is characterized in that a vendingmachine counting amount of slotted money, vending merchandise within arange of the counted amount of slotted money, and returning moneycorresponding to a return amount based on a refund instruction,comprises a calculation means for calculating difference between theslotted coins in the amount of slotted money and the amount of money tobe returned, and reception prohibiting means for prohibiting thereception of coins for a predetermined period of time after moneycorresponding to the amount to be returned is returned based on therefund instruction, if, the difference between the slotted coins in theamount of slotted money and the amount of money to be returnedcalculated by the calculation means is within a predetermined value.

Alternatively, the present invention is characterized in that a vendingmachine counting amount of slotted money, vending merchandise within arange of the counted amount of slotted money, and returning moneycorresponding to a return amount based on a refund instruction,comprises an slotted coin counting means for counting, by denomination,the number of slotted coins of the slotted money, setting means forsetting, by denomination, an administrative value indicating number ofslotted coins that is acceptable in one vending operation, a returnoperation counting means for counting number of coin return operations,based on the refund instruction given when the number of slotted coinscounted by the slotted coin counting means is equal to or higher thanthe administrative value set with by setting means, and receptionprohibiting means for prohibiting reception of coins when the number ofcoin return operations counted by the return operation counting meanshas reached a predetermined value.

Alternatively, the present invention is characterized in that a vendingmachine counting amount of slotted money, vending merchandise within arange of the counted amount of slotted money, and returning moneycorresponding to a return amount based on a refund instruction,comprises an slotted coin counting means for counting, by denomination,the number of slotted coins of the slotted money, setting means forsetting, by denomination, an administrative value indicating number ofslotted coins that is acceptable in one vending operation, a returnoperation counting means for counting number of return operations, whenthe refund instruction is given without sale of merchandise, andreception prohibiting means for prohibiting reception of coins if therefund instruction is given when the number of slotted coins counted bythe slotted coin counting means is equal to or larger than theadministrative value set with the setting means, and the refundinstruction is issued without sale of merchandise, and if the number ofreturn operations counted by the return operation counting means hasreached a predetermined value.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the overall configuration ofa vending machine in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the general structure of the coinprocessing unit 200 in the vending machine shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit 110 ofthe coin processing unit 100 shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the details of the refund process of Step700 shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the details of an example of the receptionprohibiting process of Step 800 shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the details of another example of thereception prohibiting process of Step 800 shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the details of yet another example of thereception prohibiting process of Step 800 shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the details of another example of therefund process of Step 700 shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing yet another example of the refund processof Step 700 shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing yet another example of the refund processof Step 700 shown in FIG. 3.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The following is a detailed description of embodiment of a vendingmachine in accordance with the present invention with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the overall configuration ofa vending machine in accordance with the present invention.

In FIG. 1, this vending machine is configured by connecting a coinprocessing unit 100, a bill processing unit, and a merchandiseconveyance unit 300 over a serial communication cable 400 to a maincontrol unit 500.

The coin processing unit 100 is a so-called “coin mechanism” mainlyperforming processes relating to receiving, discriminating, sorting andreturning coins, based on the communication with the main control unit500 over the serial communication cable 400.

The bill processing unit 200 is a so-called “bill validator” mainlyperforming processes relating to receiving, discriminating and returningbills, based on the communication with the main control unit 500 overthe serial communication cable 400. The merchandise conveyance unit 300performs process relating to the merchandise, such as conveyance of themerchandise.

An object of the present invention is to prevent fraudulent use withfalse coins, so that it relates mainly to the coin processing with thecoin processing unit 100. Consequently, the operation of the vendingmachine of this embodiment is explained with focus on the coinprocessing by the coin processing unit 100.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the general structure of the coinprocessing unit 200 in the vending machine shown in FIG. 1.

The coin processing unit 100 in FIG. 2 includes a coin slotting unit 101into which coins are slotted, a coin discriminating sensor 102 fordiscriminating coins that are slotted into the coin slotting unit 101, atrue-coin/false-coin separating unit 103 for sorting the slotted coinsinto true coins and false coins, based on the discrimination result fromthe sensing output of the coin discriminating sensor 102, a countingsensor 104 for counting the coins sorted as true by thetrue-coin/false-coin separating unit 103, a true-coin sorting unit 105for sorting those coins of the true coins passing the counting sensor104 that are used as change according to denomination and sorting theminto a coin storage unit 106 and for guiding the coins that are not usedas change or coins that have overflowed from the coin storage unit 106into a safe 107, a coin accumulation unit 106 having coin tubescorresponding to denomination for accumulating by denomination the coinssorted by denomination by the true-coin sorting unit 105 and used aschange, a safe 107 for storing coins sorted by the true-coin sortingunit 104 as coins not used as change or coins that have overflowed fromthe coin accumulation unit 106, a coin dispensing unit 108 fordisbursing the necessary amount of coins from the coins accumulated inthe coin accumulation unit 106, a coin returning unit 109 for returningcoins sorted as false coins by the true-coin/false-coin separating unit103 and coins disbursed by the coin dispensing unit 108, a control unit.110 for controlling the entire operation of the coin processing unit100, a return switch 111 for giving a return request to the control unit110, a setting unit 112 for performing various kinds of settings to thecontrol, unit 110, and a communication control unit 113 for controllingthe communication with the main control unit 500 shown in FIG. 1.

In the vending machine of this embodiment, the number of slotted coinsthat is acceptable in one vending operation is set beforehand with thesetting unit 112, the number of coins slotted into the coin slottingunit 101 is counted based on the sensing output of the counting sensor104, and if a refund operation is performed while the number of coinsslotted into the coin slotting unit 101 is equal to or greater than theacceptable number of slotted coins set with the setting unit 112, thenthis is taken as fraudulent use and a return operation of coins based ona refund instruction is not permitted.

Also if a refund operation is performed after the merchandise is sold,and the difference between the amount of slotted money and the amount ofmoney to be returned is within a preset predetermined range of values,then this is taken as fraudulent use and subsequently the reception ofslotted coins is not permitted for a predetermined period of time.

Also if the procedure of slotting a large number of coins and refundingthe money without buying merchandise is carried out repeatedly, thenthis is taken as fraudulent use and subsequently the reception ofslotted coins is not permitted for a predetermined period of time.

With this configuration, it becomes very difficult to get hold of thetrue coins in the vending machine by fraudulent use with false coins,and fraudulent use with false coins can be largely prevented.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit 110 ofthe coin processing unit 100 shown in FIG. 2.

In FIG. 3, based on the sensing output of the coin discriminating sensor102, the control unit 110 first determines whether a coin is slottedinto the coin slotting unit 101, that is, whether there is a slottedcoin (Step. 60).

If it is determined that there is no slotted coin (Step 601: NO), thenthe procedure waits until a coin is slotted into the coin slotting unit10, and if it is determined that there is a slotted coin (Step 201:YES), then a coin discrimination process is performed, based on thesensing output of the coin discriminating sensor 102 (Step 602). If thecoin discriminating sensor 102 is an electronic discrimination sensorusing a detection coil, then the process of discriminating the slottedcoin is performed for example by comparing the sensing output level ofthe coin discriminating sensor 102 with preset decision levelscorresponding to predetermined denominations.

That is to say, the decision levels corresponding to the denominationsare preset in the control unit 110, for example by setting with asetting unit 112, and when the sensing output level of the coindiscriminating sensor 102 is within a decision level range correspondingto a certain denomination, then it is discriminated that thedenomination of this coin is a true coin of this denomination, and if itdoes not belong to a decision level range corresponding to a certaindenomination, then it is discriminated that the coin is a false coin.

Here, the coin identification sensor 102 includes a plurality ofdetection coils that are magnetized by signals with frequencies assuitable for the material, diameter, surface pattern, etc. of the coins,and based on the sensing output of this plurality of detection coils,the control unit 110 determines comprehensively the denomination of theslotted coins, and whether the slotted coin is a true coin or a falsecoin.

Then, based on the discrimination result of the coin discriminationprocess in Step 602, it is determined whether the slotted coin is a truecoin (Step 603). If it is determined that the slotted coin is not a truecoin, that is, if it is determined that it is a false coin (Step 603:NO), then the true-coin/false-coin separating unit 103 is caused toselect the false-coin path ER, the slotted coin is guided over thefalse-coin path ER to the coin returning unit 109, and the procedure isterminated.

If, based on the discrimination result of the coin discriminationprocess in Step. 602, it is determined that the slotted coin is a truecoin (Step 603: YES), then the true-coin/false-coin separating unit 103is caused to select the true-coin path TR, and the slotted coin isguided to the true-coin path TR.

The true coin guided to the true-coin path TR is detected by thecounting sensor 104. The control unit 110 counts the number of slottedcoins based on the sensing output of this counting sensor 104 and thedenomination detected in Step 602 (Step 606), and the counting result(counter value) is sent overt the communication control unit 123 to themain control unit 500 (Step 607).

Based on the counted number of slotted coins sent by the coin processingunit 100 and the number of slotted bills similarly sent by the billprocessing unit 200 shown in FIG. 1, the main control unit 500determines whether sale of merchandise is possible, and if it isdetermined that the amount of slotted money is equal to or higher thanthe price of the merchandise sold and sale is possible, then a signal“sale possible” is sent out.

The control unit 110 of the coin processing unit 100 monitors the “salepossible” signals from the main control unit 500 over the communicationcontrol unit 123, and determines whether sale has become possible (Step608).

If it is determined that sale is not possible (Step 608: NO), then theprocedure returns to Step 601, waits until the next coin is slotted, andthe processing of step 601 through step 608 is repeated until Step 608determines that sale is possible. (Step 608: YES).

When Step 608 determines that sale is possible (Step 608:YES) andmerchandise is selected by the user, then conveyance of the merchandiseunder control of the merchandise conveyance unit 300 in FIG. 1 isperformed, a refund process for disbursing change is performed with thecontrol unit 110 of the coin processing unit 100 (Step 700), and theprocedure is terminated.

In that case, if Step 608 determines that sale is possible (Step 608:YES), and no merchandise is selected then the procedure advancesimmediately to the refund process of Step 700.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the details of the refund process of Step700 shown in FIG. 3.

In FIG. 4, it is first determined, whether a refund operation is carriedout by operating a refund switch (or refund lever) 111 (Step 701). If arefund operation is carried out (Step 701: YES), then the procedureadvances to Step 703, and if no refund operation is carried out (Step701: NO), then it is determined whether a predetermined period of timehas passed since entering the refund processing (Step 702).

The decision at this Step 702 corresponds to the case that during aregular vending operation, merchandise is bought, but the refund switch100 has not been operated even though there is change, or that nomerchandise to be bought is selected even though coins are slotted, andin those cases, the vending machine automatically sends a refund requestto the main control unit 500 after a predetermined period of time haspassed, and if a refund instruction is sent back by the main controlunit 500, then the necessary coins are automatically returned, based onthis refund instruction.

That is to say, if a predetermined period of time has not yet-passed atStep 702 (Step 702: NO), the procedure waits until the predeterminedperiod of time has passed, and when the predetermined period of time haspassed (Step 702: YES), the procedure advances to Step 703.

At Step 703, it is determined whether the number of slotted coins isequal to or greater than a certain administrative value (Step 703).Here, the control unit 110 can count the number of slotted coins bydenomination, based on the sensing output of the counting sensor 104shown in FIG. 2, and the administrative value is the number ofacceptable coins for each denomination that can be received per vendingoperation as preset by denomination in a setting operation with thesetting unit 112.

This acceptable number (administrative value) is the largest number thatcan be slotted in one regular vending operation, and is set, for examplein a vending machine selling merchandise for 120 yen to twenty 10-yencoins, four 50-yen coins, four 100-yen coins, and one 500-yen coin.

The reason for this is that, if two or more 500-yen coins are slotted tobuy merchandise for 120 yen with this vending machine, then this mayindicate the intention of fraudulent use, or if four or more 100-yencoins are slotted, then this may indicate the intention of fraudulentuse that deviates from the proper use. Also the slotting of four or more50-yen coins or twenty or more 10-yen coins are slotted is unnatural andmay indicate the intention of fraudulent use.

The administrative values for each denomination are set to optimalvalues under consideration of, for example, the price of the merchandiseto be sold with the vending machine, the usage environment, and marginsfor the erroneous slotting by the user. Also for vending machines thatallow the consecutive purchase of a plurality of goods, theadministrative values for each denomination are set under considerationof the possibility of such consecutive purchase.

In the foregoing explanations, the administrative values for eachdenomination are set in a setting operation with the setting unit 112,but it is also possible to set them automatically, based on informationsent by the main control unit 500, in the coin processing unit 100 thatcan communicate with the main control unit, as shown in FIG. 1. In thatcase, the acceptable number for each denomination can be sent directlyfrom the main control unit 500, or the highest price of merchandise andthe number of possible consecutive purchases are sent from the maincontrol unit 500, and based on this information, the coin processingunit 100 performs the necessary calculations based on the configurationof the used coins with the coin processing unit 100, and setting isperformed automatically.

If Step 703 determines that the number of slotted coins is equal to orlarger than the administrative value (Step 703: YES), then it isdetermined next whether the sale of merchandise was performed (Step707).

The decision at Step 703 is that of the numbers of the slotted coins foreach denomination, if at least one is equal to or higher than theadministrative value set for this denomination, then it is determinedthat the number of slotted coins is equal to or larger theadministrative value, and the decision at Step 704 whether sale ofmerchandise was performed can be made by monitoring the signals from themain control unit 500 shown in FIG. 1 or the signals from themerchandise ejection unit 300.

If Step 704 determines that sale of merchandise was not performed (Step704: NO), then:

coins of a certain denomination are slotted in number equal to or higherthan the administrative value for that denomination and subsequently thereturn switch 111 is operated; or

coins of a certain denomination are slotted in number equal to or higherthan the administrative value for that denomination and subsequently theprocedure has waited for the predetermined period of time of Step 702 topass.

Thus, in those cases, the operation has deviated from the proper form ofusage, and the possibility of fraudulent use with false coins is veryhigh, so that the procedure terminates immediately.

In that case, no refund request is sent to the main control unit 500, sothat the coins corresponding to the false coins relating to thisfraudulent use are not returned.

If Step 703 has determined that the number of slotted coins has not yetreached the administrative value (Step 703: NO), or if Step 704 hasdetermined that sale of merchandise was performed (Step 407: YES), thena refund request is sent to the main control unit 500 (Step 705).

Then it is determined whether the main control unit 500 is giving arefund instruction in response to the refund request (Step 706). Here,if there is not refund instruction (Step 706: NO), the procedure waitsfor the refund instruction from the main control unit 500, but if it isdetermined that there is a refund instruction (Step 706: YES), then,based on this refund instruction, the coin dispensing unit 108 shown inFIG. 2 is caused to perform a coin disbursement process, disbursing thenecessary amount of coins as indicated by the refund instruction fromthe coin accumulation unit 106 and ejecting them into the coin returningunit 109 (Step 707).

Next, it is determined whether the difference between the amount ofmoney slotted into the coin processing unit 100 and the money to berefunded as indicated by the refund instruction from the main controlunit 500 is within a predetermined specific value (Step 708).

This specific value is set for example in accordance with the lowestvending price of the merchandise sold with this vending machine.

If at Step 708 the difference between the amount of money slotted intothe coin processing unit 100 and the money to be refunded as indicatedby the refund instruction from the main control unit 500 exceeds thepredetermined specific value (Step 708: NO), then this is taken as aproper regular vending operation, and the procedure is terminated.

If, however, Step 708 determines that the difference between the amountof money slotted into the coin processing unit 100 and the money to berefunded as indicated by the refund instruction from the main controlunit 500 is within the predetermined specific value (Step 708: YES),then this may indicate a operation based on another way of fraudulentuse, namely that a large number of false coins of a certain denominationis slotted to purchase the merchandise with the lowest price, and thenthe return switch 111 is operated to get hold of the true coins of thisdenomination in the vending machine, so that in that case, a receptionprohibiting process is performed, temporarily prohibiting the receptionof coins of this denomination in this vending machine (Step 800).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the details of an example of the receptionprohibiting process of Step 800 shown in FIG. 4.

In FIG. 5, first, when entering the procedure, the vending machine isset into the coin reception prohibiting state, in which thetrue-coin/false-coin separating unit 103 is caused to guide coins thatare slotted into the coin slotting unit 101 and whose reception isprohibited into the coin returning unit 109, regardless of whether theyare true or false coins (Step 801). Then, a reception prohibiting timeris started (Step 802).

Next, it is monitored whether a coin of this denomination is slottedinto the coin slotting unit 101 (Step 803). If no coin of thisdenomination is slotted (Step 803: NO), then the procedure advance toStep 805, and if it is determined that a coin of this denomination wasslotted (Step 803: YES), then the reception prohibiting timer isrestarted (Step 804), and the procedure advances to, Step 805.

At Step 805, it is determined whether the reception prohibiting timerhas run out. If it has not run out (Step 805: NO), then the procedurereturns to 803, and if it has run out (Step 805: YES), then the coinreception prohibiting state is cancelled (Step 806), and the procedureis terminated.

This means, in the reception prohibiting process, there is a selectiveprohibition of the reception of coins of the denomination whosereception is prohibited, and if a coin of the denomination whosereception is prohibited is slotted again during the monitoring time ofthe reception prohibiting timer, then the monitoring time of thereception prohibiting timer is renewed, and when the monitoring time ofthe reception prohibiting timer has terminated, the, prohibiting of thereception of coins of the denomination whose reception is prohibited iscancelled.

This means, when trying to get hold of the true coins in the vendingmachine by using false coins, the same operation is usually repeated anumber of times, and in this case, when for example somebody performsthe fraudulent operation of slotting a large number of fraudulent 100coins, purchasing the merchandise with the lowest price, and operatingthe return switch 111, then, with the present embodiment, the change isreimbursed at the first time, but subsequently, when trying to performthe same fraudulent operation by slotting fraudulent 100 coins, due tothe effect of the reception prohibiting timer in the receptionprohibiting process, the fraudulent 100 coins are not accepted andreturned into the coin returning unit 109, so that this fraudulentoperation will end as a failure, and the damage due to this kind offraudulent operation can be kept at a minimum.

It should be noted that in this configuration, the reception prohibitingprocess prohibits the reception of coins of a specified denominationonly, and that coins of other denominations are accepted, so thatvending of merchandise is still possible by slotting otherdenominations.

However, it is also possible to prohibit the reception of coins of alldenominations during the reception prohibiting process.

Furthermore, in the above reception prohibiting process, the monitoringperiod of the reception prohibiting timer is constant, and each timethis kind of coin is slotted again, the monitoring time of the receptionprohibiting timer is renewed, but it is also possible to renew themonitoring time of the reception prohibiting timer such that it becomesprogressively longer each time this kind of coin is slotted again.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the details of another example of thereception prohibiting process of Step. 800 shown in FIG. 4.

In the reception prohibiting process shown in FIG. 6, the monitoringtime of the reception prohibiting timer is renewed such that it becomesprogressively longer each time a coin is slotted again.

That is to say, first, when entering the processing of FIG. 6, thevending machine is set into the coin reception prohibiting state, inwhich the true-coin/false-coin separating unit 103 is caused to guidecoins that are slotted into the coin slotting unit 101 and whosereception is prohibited into the coin returning unit 109, regardless ofwhether they are true or false coins (Step 811). Then, the receptionprohibiting timer is started (Step 812).

Next, it is monitored whether a coin of this denomination is slottedinto the coin slotting unit 101 (Step 813). If no coin of thisdenomination is slotted (Step 813: NO), then the procedure advance toStep 816, and if it is determined that a coin of this denomination wasslotted (Step 813: YES), then the reception prohibiting time (monitoringtime)of the reception prohibiting timer is prolonged (Step. 814), thereception prohibiting timer is restarted (Step 815), and the procedureadvances to Step 816.

At Step 816, it is determined whether the reception prohibiting timerhas run out. If it has not run out (Step 816: NO), then the procedurereturns to 813, and if it has run out (Step 816: YES), then the coinreception prohibiting state is cancelled (Step 817), and the procedureis terminated.

This means, in the reception prohibiting process, there is a selectiveprohibition of the reception of coins of the denomination whosereception is prohibited, and if a coin of the denomination whosereception is prohibited is slotted again during the monitoring time ofthe reception prohibiting timer, then the monitoring time of thereception prohibiting timer is renewed so that it becomes progressivelylonger, and when the monitoring time of the reception prohibiting timerhas terminated, the prohibiting of the reception of coins of thedenomination whose reception is prohibited is cancelled.

With this configuration, this kind of fraudulent operation using falsecoins becomes even more difficult, so that this kind of fraudulent usecan be greatly reduced.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the details of yet another example of thereception prohibiting process of Step 800 shown in FIG. 4.

In the reception prohibiting process shown in FIG. 7, the precision withwhich the corresponding type of coins is discriminated is renewed suchthat it becomes progressively higher each time a coin is slotted again.

That is to say, first, when entering the processing of FIG. 7, thevending machine is set into the coin reception prohibiting state, inwhich the true-coin/false-coin separating unit 103 is caused to guidecoins that are slotted into the coin slotting unit 101 and whosereception is prohibited into the coin returning unit 109, regardless ofwhether they are true or false coin (Step 821). Then, the receptionprohibiting timer is started (Step 822).

Next, it is monitored whether a coin of this denomination is slottedinto the coin slotting unit 101 (Step 823). If no coin of thisdenomination is slotted (Step 823: NO), then the procedure advance toStep 826, and if it is determined that a coin of this denomination wasslotted (Step 823:YES), then the precision with which the coins isdiscriminated is increased (Step 824), the reception prohibiting timeris restarted (Step 825), and the procedure advances to Step 826.

Here, the control of the precision with which the coins are sorted isperformed with the control unit 110 shown in FIG. 2.

That is to say, depending on whether the detection signal from the coindiscriminating sensor 102, which corresponds to material, diameter,surface pattern, etc. of the coin fits into the preset window, that is,between an upper and a lower threshold, the control unit 110discriminates whether the slotted coin is true or fraudulent, and if itis true, of which denomination it is, and in Step 824, the size of thewindow for discriminating the slotted coin, that is the interval betweenthe upper and the lower threshold is set to a narrower size.

At Step 826, it is determined whether the reception prohibiting timerhas run out. If it has not run out (Step 826: NO), then the procedurereturns to 823, and if it has run out (Step 826: YES), then the coinreception prohibiting state is cancelled (Step 827), and the procedureis terminated.

This means, in the reception prohibiting process, there is a selectiveprohibition of the reception of coins of the denomination whosereception is prohibited, and if a coin of the denomination whosereception is prohibited is slotted again during the monitoring time ofthe reception prohibiting timer, then the precision with which that typeof coins is discriminated is changed so that it becomes progressivelyhigher, and the monitoring time of the reception prohibiting timer isrenewed. Then, when the monitoring time of the reception prohibitingtimer has terminated, the prohibiting of the reception of coins of thedenomination whose reception is prohibited is cancelled.

With this configuration, the vending machine's precision with which thattype of coins is discriminated becomes higher as this kind of fraudulentoperation is repeated, so that this kind of fraudulent use with falsecoins, becomes even more difficult.

It should be noted that the precision with which the coins arediscriminated, which is increased by the processing of Step 824, can berestored to an original precision under the condition that, for example,a predetermined number of regular vending operations are performedconsecutively.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the details of another example of therefund process of Step 700 shown in FIG. 3.

The refund process shown in FIG. 8 is basically the same as the refundprocess shown in FIG. 4, but the refund process shown in FIG. 8 differsfrom the refund process shown in FIG. 4 in that an alarm signal isgenerated when an fraudulent operation is performed. In FIG. 8, thesteps performing processes that are equivalent to FIG. 4 are marked bythe same symbols as used in FIG. 4, and their further explanation isomitted.

FIG. 8, if Step 704 determines that a sale has not been carried out(Step 704: NO), then an alarm signal indicating fraudulent use isgenerated (Step 709), and also if in Step 708 the difference between theamount of slotted money and the refunded amount of money is within aspecified value (Step 708: YES), then an alarm signal indicatingfraudulent use is generated.

Here, the alarm signal generated in Step 709 and the alarm signalgenerated in Step 710 can be the identical signals or different signals.

Here, the purpose of the alarm signals is to cause the abuser toretreat, which can be accomplished, for example, by flashing a lampilluminating the merchandise or the generation of an alarm sound.

Thus, this kind of fraudulent operation using fraudulent money becomeseven more difficult, so that this kind of fraudulent use can be greatlyreduced.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing yet another example of the refund processof Step 700 shown in FIG. 3.

In the refund process shown in FIG. 9, if number of coins equal to orlarger than a predetermined administrative value is slotted and a refundoperation is carried out with the refund switch 111 without purchasinganything, then amount of coins corresponding to the slotted coins isrefunded, but this operation is counted, and if the counted valuereaches a preset number, then the reception of this kind of coin isprohibited.

That is to say, in FIG. 9, it is first determined whether a refundoperation is carried out by operating the refund switch (or refundlever) 111 (Step 721). Here, if a refund operation is carried out (Step721: YES), the procedure advances to Step 723, and if no refundoperation is carried out (Step 721: NO), it is determined whether apredetermined period of time has passed since entering the refundprocessing (Step 722).

If the predetermined period of time has not yet passed (Step 722: NO),then the procedure waits until the predetermined period of time haspassed, and when the predetermined period of time has passed (Step 722:YES), then the procedure advances to Step 723.

At Step 723, a refund request is sent to the main control unit 500.Then, it is determined whether there is a refund instruction given bythe main control unit 500 in response to the refund request (Step 724).

If there is no refund instruction (Step 724: NO), then the procedurewaits until there is a refund instruction from the main control unit500, but if it is determined that there is a refund instruction (Step724: YES), then, based on this refund instruction, the coin dispensingunit 108 shown in FIG. 2 is caused to perform a coin disbursementprocess, disbursing the necessary amount of coins as indicated by therefund instruction from the coin accumulation unit 106 and ejecting theminto the coin returning unit 109 (Step 725).

Next, it is determined-whether the number of slotted coins is equal toor larger than the administrative value (Step 726). If it is determinedthat the number of slotted coins is equal to or larger than theadministrative value (Step 726: YES), then it is determined whethermerchandise is sold (Step 727).

If it is determined that merchandised is sold (Step 727: YES) or if itis determined at Step 726 that the number of slotted coins has not yetreached the administrative value (Step 726: NO), then this is taken as aproper sale, and the procedure is terminated.

If it is determined at Step 727 that no merchandise is sold (Step 727:NO), then this means that

1) Coins of a certain denomination are slotted in number equal to orhigher than the administrative value for that denomination andsubsequently the return switch 111 is operated; or

2) Coins of a certain denomination are slotted in number equal to orhigher than the administrative value for that denomination andsubsequently the procedure has waited for the predetermined period oftime of Step 722 to pass.

Thus, in those cases, the operation has deviated from the proper form ofusage, and the possibility of fraudulent use with false coins is veryhigh, so that the return number counter is increased (Step 728).

Then, it is determined whether the count value of the return numbercounter has reached a preset specified value (Step 729). Here, if thecount value of the return number counter has not reached thepredetermined specific value (Step 729: NO), the procedure isterminated.

If it is determined that the, count value of the return number counterhas reached the specific value (Step 729: YES), then this is taken asfraudulent use, and a reception prohibiting process is performed,temporarily prohibiting the reception of coins of a certain denominationin this vending machine (Step 800).

The reception prohibiting process of Step 800 is the same as the processexplained for the flowcharts in FIGS. 5 to 7.

When a proper vending operation is performed, the count value of thereturn number counter is cleared.

It should be noted that it is also possible to provide a returnmonitoring timer for the return number counter, and to increase thereturn number counter under the condition that the next fraudulentoperation is performed during the monitoring period of this returnmonitoring timer. With this configuration, the return monitoring timeris renewed every time an fraudulent operation is performed.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing yet another example of the refund processof Step 700 shown in FIG. 3.

In the refund process shown in FIG. 10, if number of coins equal to orlarger than a predetermined administrative value is slotted and a refundoperation is carried out without purchasing merchandise, then amount ofcoins corresponding to the slotted coins is returned, but the receptionof this type of coins is prohibited for a preset period of time, or, ifthe number of slotted coins has not yet reached the correspondingadministrative value and a refund operation is carried out withoutpurchasing merchandise, then this operation is counted, and if thecounted value reaches a preset number, then the reception of this kindof coin is prohibited.

That is to say, in FIG. 10, it is first determined whether a refundoperation is carried out by operating the refund switch (or refundlever) 111 (Step 731). Here, if a refund operation is carried out (Step731: YES), the procedure advances to Step 733, and if no refundoperation is carried out (Step 731: NO), it is determined whether apredetermined period of time has passed since entering the refundprocessing (Step. 732).

If the predetermined period of time has not yet passed (Step 732: NO),then the procedure waits until the predetermined period of time haspassed, and when the predetermined period of time has passed (Step 732:YES), then the procedure advances to Step 733.

At Step 733, a refund request is sent to the main control unit 500. Thenit is determined whether there is a refund instruction given by the maincontrol unit 500 in response to the refund request (Step 734).

If there is no refund instruction (Step 734: NO), then the procedurewaits until there is a refund instruction from the main control unit500, but if it is determined that there is a refund instruction (Step734: YES), then, based on this refund instruction, the coin dispensingunit 108 shown in FIG. 2 is caused to perform a coin disbursementprocess, disbursing the necessary amount of coins as indicated by therefund instruction from the coin accumulation unit 106 and ejecting theminto the coin returning unit 109 (Step 735).

Next, it is determined whether the number of slotted coins is equal toor larger than the administrative value (Step 736). If it is determinedthat the number of slotted coins is equal to or larger than theadministrative value (Step 736: YES), then it is determined whethermerchandise is sold (Step 737). Here, if it is determined thatmerchandise is sold, then this is taken as a proper operation, and theprocedure is terminated.

If it is determined at Step 737 that no merchandise is sold (Step 737:NO), then this means that

coins of a certain denomination are slotted in number equal to or higherthan the administrative value for that denomination and, the returnswitch 111 is operated without purchasing merchandise; or

coins of a certain denomination are slotted in number equal to or higherthan the administrative value for that denomination and the procedurehas waited for the predetermined period of time of Step 732 to passwithout a purchase of merchandise.

Thus, the possibility of fraudulent use with false coins is very high,so that the procedure advances to Step 800 and the reception prohibitingprocess of Step 800 is carried out. The reception prohibiting process ofStep 800 is the same as the process explained for the flowcharts inFIGS. 5 to 7.

If it is determined at Step 736 that the number of slotted coins has notyet reached the administrative value (Step 736: NO), then it isdetermined whether merchandise is sold (Step 738).

If it is determined that merchandise is sold (Step 738: YES), then thisis taken as a proper sale, and the procedure is terminated.

If it is determined at Step 738 that merchandise has not been sold (Step738: NO), then this means that

1) Coins of a certain denomination are slotted in number smaller thanthe administrative value for that denomination and the return switch 111is operated without purchasing merchandise; or

2) Coins of a certain denomination are slotted in number smaller thanthe administrative value for that denomination and subsequently theprocedure has waited for the predetermined period of time of Step 732 topass without a purchase of merchandise.

Thus, the possibility of fraudulent use with false coins is taken to bevery high, so that the return number counter is increased (Step 739).

Then it is determined at Step 740 whether the count value of the returnnumber counter has reached the predetermined specific value (Step 740).If the count value of the return number counter has not yet reached thespecific value (Step 740: NO), then the procedure is terminated.

If it is determined that the count value of the return number counterhas reached the specific value (Step 740: YES), then this is taken as afraudulent use, and a reception prohibiting process is performed,temporarily prohibiting the reception of coins of a certain denominationin this vending machine (Step 800).

The reception prohibiting process of Step 800 is the same as the processexplained for the flowcharts in FIGS. 5 to 7.

When a proper Vending operation is performed, the count value of thereturn number counter is cleared.

It should be noted that also in this embodiment it is possible toprovide a return monitoring timer for the return number counter, and toincrease the return number counter under the condition that the nextfraudulent operation is performed during the monitoring period of thisreturn monitoring timer. With this configuration, the return monitoringtimer is renewed every time an fraudulent operation is performed.

In the above-described embodiments, the various kinds of control areperformed based on the communication with the main control unit 500 thatis connected by the communication cable 400 shown in FIG. 1, but insteadof this configuration, it is of course also possible to apply theinvention similarly to a vending machine in which for example thecontrol unit 110 of the coin processing unit 100 fulfills a similarfunction as the main control unit 500.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention relates to a vending machine, with whichfraudulent use of false coins of various denominations can be prevented.With this invention, fraudulent use of false coins of variousdenomination can be prevented effectively.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vending machine which counts an amount ofslotted money, vends merchandise within a range of the counted amount ofslotted money, and returns money corresponding to a return amount basedon a refund instruction, characterized in that the vending machinecomprises: counting means for counting, by denomination, the number ofslotted coins of the slotted money; setting means for setting, bydenomination, an administrative value indicating number of slotted coinsthat is acceptable in one vending operation; a judging means forjudging, by denomination, whether the number of slotted coins counted bythe counting means is equal to or larger than the administrative valueset with the setting means; detecting means for detecting refundinstruction; refund prohibiting means for prohibiting a coin refundoperation based on the refund instruction, if the judging means judgesthat there is at least one denomination for which the number of slottedcoins counted by the counting means is equal to or larger than theadministrative value set with the setting means when the refundinstruction is detected by the detecting means without a sale ofmerchandise; and reception prohibiting means for prohibiting receptionof coins for a predetermined period of time after the coin returnoperation is terminated if a difference between the amount of slottedmoney and the amount of money to be returned is within a predeterminedspecific value when the refund instruction is detected by the detectingmeans after the sale of merchandise.
 2. The vending machine according toclaim 1, characterized in that the reception prohibiting means comprisesrenewal means for renewing the predetermined period of time in whichreception of coins is prohibited if a coin is slotted during thepredetermined period of time.
 3. The vending machine according to claim1, characterized in that the reception prohibiting means comprisesrenewal means for renewing the predetermined period of time in which thereception of coins is prohibited such that it becomes progressivelylonger if a coin is slotted during the predetermined period of time. 4.The vending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that thereception prohibiting means comprises renewal means which increases aprecision with which the coins is discriminated and renews thepredetermined period of time in which the reception of coins isprohibited if a coin is slotted again during the predetermined period oftime.
 5. The vending machine according to claim 4, characterized in thatthe vending machine further comprises precision restoring means forrestoring the precision with which the coins are discriminated that hasbeen increased by the renewal means to an original discriminationprecision, under the condition that a predetermined number of regularvending operations are carried out.
 6. A vending machine having a maincontrol unit and a coin processing unit, wherein in a coin returnoperation the main control unit counts an amount of slotted money basedon communication with the coin processing unit, calculates an amount ofmoney to be return based on a refund request from the coin processingunit and gives the coin processing unit a refund instruction to refundcoins corresponding to the amount of money to be returned, and whereinthe coin processing unit returns coins based on the refund instruction,characterized in that the coin processing unit comprises: counting meansfor counting, by denomination, the number of slotted coins; settingmeans for setting, by denomination, an administrative value indicatingnumber of slotted coins that is acceptable in one vending operation;judging means for judging by denomination, whether the number of slottedcoins counted by the counting means is equal to or larger than theadministrative value set with the setting means; detecting means fordetecting a refund instruction; transmission prohibiting means forprohibiting sending of the refund request to the main control unit, ifthe judging means judges that there is at least one denomination forwhich the number of slotted coins counted by the counting means is equalto or larger than the administrative value set with the setting meanswhen the refund instruction is detected by the detecting means without asale of merchandise; and reception prohibiting means for prohibitingreception of coins for a predetermined period of time after the coinreturn operation is terminated if a difference between the amount ofslotted money and the amount to be returned is within a predeterminedspecific value when the refund instruction is detected by the detectingmeans after the sale of merchandise.
 7. The vending machine according toclaim 6, characterized in that the reception prohibiting means comprisesrenewal means for renewing the predetermined period of time in whichreception of coins is prohibited if a coin is slotted during thepredetermined period of time.
 8. The vending machine according to claim6, characterized in that the reception prohibiting means comprisesrenewal means for renewing the predetermined period of time in which thereception of coins is prohibited such that it becomes progressivelylonger if a coin is slotted during the predetermined period of time. 9.The vending machine according to claim 6, characterized in that thereception prohibiting means comprises renewal means which increases aprecision with which the coins is discriminated and renews thepredetermined period of time in which the reception of coins isprohibited if a coin is slotted again during the predetermined period oftime.
 10. The vending machine according to claim 9, characterized inthat the vending machine further comprises precision restoring means forrestoring the precision with which the coins are discriminated that hasbeen increased by the renewal means to an original discriminationprecision, under the condition that a predetermined number of regularvending operations are carried out.